Standoff With Moscow Ensues Over Role
In Kosovo as Allied Troops Spread Out

By

Carla Anne Robbins, Thomas E. Ricks and

Andrew Higgins Staff Reporters of The Wall Street Journal

Updated June 14, 1999 1:32 a.m. ET

North Atlantic Treaty Organization troops began spreading out across Kosovo, but a disturbing standoff with Russia continued over its role in the peacekeeping force.

About 200 Russian soldiers blocked British troops from taking control of the airport outside the capital of Pristina. In an atmosphere more surreal than menacing, Russian paratroopers parked three armored personnel carriers at the entrance to the airfield, waving in scores of cars and buses carrying Serbian civilians seeking refuge but blocking a long convoy...